Morris seeks support for PCS board

Monday, May 7, 2012 - 3:29 pm

To the Editor:

I would like to ask for the Potsdam School Community’s support for a seat on the Potsdam Central Board of Education. My children had the very good fortune to attend Potsdam Central’s schools at a time when finances were good.

My oldest son, who had special educational needs, had some incredibly supportive teachers and all of the hands-on courses he needed to help him succeed through high school and graduate with a local diploma. My daughter, an early high achiever, had the opportunity to have enrichment classes in elementary school and enough extra courses to fill her day at the high school, because she didn’t want study halls. My husband, Chip, and I are proud to say that she will graduate from Harvard University in a few weeks.

For the past few years, I have watched the programs that benefited my children erode away and it concerns me. Many of the hands-on courses offered in family and consumer science, business, and agricultural science have disappeared. Fewer electives at the high school will leave current students with too much time on their hands and too few opportunities. Extra support for enrichment at the elementary school is long gone.

Tomorrow’s students should have the same opportunities that my children had. The students who struggle to get through the school day should have all of the support and courses they need to help them succeed. The students who want more than the basic Regents program should get the best this community can offer so that they have a fighting chance should they choose to apply to a prestigious college.

Should you see fit to elect me, I will work hard with administration and the members of the Board of Education to re-create and maintain the best programs possible for our students.